Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole (One-Pan Dinner!)

Introduction

When you’re looking for an effortless, hearty meal that the whole family will love, Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is an absolute winner. Combining savory beef, tender potatoes, and golden, bubbling cheese, this one-pan dinner is satisfying, budget-friendly, and pure comfort food. Perfect for busy weeknights, leftovers, or even meal prepping for the week ahead.

Why Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is a Crowd-Pleaser

This recipe brings together classic flavors in a single dish—savory beef, earthy potatoes, and plenty of gooey, melted cheese. There’s hardly a combination that feels as satisfying and universally appealing. The simplicity of the one-pan method means less cleanup and more time enjoying a comforting home-cooked meal.

Simple Steps to the Perfect Cheesy Casserole

Start by browning the ground beef right in your casserole pan or oven-safe skillet, then layer in thinly sliced potatoes and a rich, creamy sauce. A generous topping of cheese melts into golden perfection during baking. Each bite delivers tender potatoes, flavored beef, and stretchy cheese in every mouthful.

Tips for a Creamier, More Flavorful Casserole

For the creamiest dish, use a combination of cream of mushroom or chicken soup and whole milk. Adding a bit of sharp cheddar to the cheese mix intensifies the flavor. Freshly ground black pepper, paprika, or even a pinch of garlic powder boosts savoriness. Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking to allow everything to set and slice cleanly.

Serving Suggestions to Complete Your One-Pan Dinner

Pair this casserole with a simple side salad of crisp greens or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. For added freshness, toss some chopped parsley or green onions on top just before serving. It’s also delicious alongside pickles or a tangy tomato salad to cut through the richness.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 6 and provides approximately 400–500 calories per serving, depending on cheese and beef choice. It’s a filling entrée loaded with protein, calcium, and potassium thanks to the beef, potatoes, and cheese.

Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole (Recap)

With its layers of seasoned beef, tender potatoes, and gooey cheese, this casserole is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that’s as easy to prepare as it is to enjoy. One-pan simplicity brings flavor and comfort to your table in under an hour.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list, with all ingredients sorted by store section—making both meal planning and shopping easier than ever.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish or use an oven-safe skillet.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Add diced onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in salt, pepper, and paprika (if using). Spread beef mixture evenly in the bottom of your prepared dish.
4. Layer thinly sliced potatoes over the beef mixture, slightly overlapping. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together cream of mushroom soup and milk. Pour evenly over the potatoes and cheese.
6. Top with the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
7. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and the top is golden and bubbly.
8. Allow to rest 5–10 minutes before garnishing with chopped parsley or green onions. Slice and serve.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Cheesy Ground Beef & Potato Casserole is made for meal preppers and busy families. Save and schedule this recipe to get a consolidated shopping list that syncs all your planned meals—no more duplicate buys or forgotten ingredients.

Planning Benefits:

• Smart ingredient calculator across all recipes
• Lists organized by store section for stress-free shopping
• Avoids food waste by tracking overlapping ingredients
• Makes weeknight dinners more efficient and predictable

Pro tip: CookifyAI lets you schedule multiple meals for the week, automatically generating the master list you need for every meal—including exact quantities of ground beef, potatoes, and cheese you might use in other recipes, too.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Enjoy this simple, homey casserole and streamline your meal planning with smart tools for your kitchen!